Fans watch as Carl Edwards (99) goes back on the racetrack during practice Saturday at Dover International Speedway.

Written by

Mike Hembree
| Special for USA TODAY Sports

Approaching today's third race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup - the AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway - Edwards sits fourth in points, within sight of the lead held by Matt Kenseth and in a spot to contend for what would be his first Cup championship.

Edwards has been painfully close on two other occasions, finishing second to Jimmie Johnson in 2008 despite winning nine times during the season, then losing the title to Tony Stewart in 2011 in unprecedented fashion - a tiebreaker when they tied in points. ...